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What is transplant tourism?
The need for organ transplants in Australia is more than the availability of donor organs. Some people may look to travel overseas to get a transplant.
‘Transplant tourism’ is a term sometimes used when you go to another country and pay for an organ transplant.
Kidney transplants are the most common organ transplant people travel for.
Legal and ethical issues
Be aware of transplant tourism's legal and ethical issues before considering it.
Transplant tourism can undermine a country's transplant program. People who can afford to pay can 'jump the queue'. This means someone who has a more serious medical need for an organ may miss out.
You might unknowingly get an organ through illegal or unethical means without the consent of the donor. The lack of available organs has created an illegal black-market trade. In many cases, the donor is unknown. They are quite possibly poor, exploited or forced to donate.
Australia criminalises trafficking in persons for organ removal, with penalties of up to 25 years’ imprisonment. This crime is a form of modern slavery. Organ trafficking is a crime in many other countries.
You'll be subject to the laws of the country you travel to. These may include severe penalties for transplant tourism or related acts, such as:
- trafficking in organs
- trafficking in persons for organ removal.
Health and financial risks
There are many risks to be aware of if you travel overseas for a transplant.
There may not be proper health screening and checks on the donor and the organ. Medical facilities and care may not be the same standard as in Australia. There is a higher risk of
- viral, bacterial and fungal infection
- graft failure
- death.
Your travel insurance is unlikely to cover the surgery. Or any adverse outcomes after the surgery.
If your procedure doesn't go to plan, you may return home with a new or worse problem. It could cost you a lot of money to fix it.
There are also many risks to donors, including:
- serious infection
- reduced physical ability
- complex psychological harm, including mental illness and emotional trauma
- ending up in a worse financial state due to health problems after organ removal.
Read more
- Read more about going overseas for a medical procedure.
- Learn how to get medical assistance overseas.
- Find out about staying within the law when you're travelling.
- Understand what happens if you're arrested or jailed overseas.
- Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how and when the Australian Government may be able to help you overseas.